China ECRL negotiation team to visit Malaysia this month: Daim

February 22, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – A negotiation team of the China government is expected to visit Malaysia shortly for further discussion on Malaysia’s derailed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, said Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) Chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin.

“Let’s put it this way, we are still negotiating. Actually, they will come to Malaysia this month. They invited me to China last time, but I could not make it, that’s why I’m inviting them to come to Malaysia,” he said in an interview with Nanyang Siang Pau published yesterday.

Asked about the possibility of a final decision on this issue, Daim said, “Hopefully, there will be a decision, but it’s not easy due to this issue being quite complicated.”

He described the project as a “sensitive” issue, and, therefore, it was better to talk less on it.

“Otherwise, when I say something they may misinterpret it, then they will query why I said that? The issue will become more sensitive then.”

He said the delegation in charge of the ECRL project will also brief on China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ Initiative.

Meanwhile, in the interview, Daim was also asked about the issue of recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

He said the government should let the Malays feel at ease and eliminate their worries on this issue, and the government should let Malays know that they have nothing to lose.